The Trauma Survivors Foundation’s Delaware Beer Fest Charity Tasting Event benefits our Frontline Workers and Hospital Heroes for the fight against Covid-19

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“Fundraising efforts have been challenging during these unprecedented times, but hopefully this socially responsible event will bring people together and raise money for people dealing with trauma related issues and our Healthcare Workers,” says The Trauma Survivors Foundation CEO, Dennis Carradin.

Event organizers of the Delaware Beer Fest Charity Tasting Experience today announced that breweries, distilleries, and wineries have come together for an amazing tasting experience at the Bellefonte Brewing Company Brandywine and surrounding area grounds.

Join us on Saturday, October 9th, 2021, for the Delaware Beer Fest Charity Tasting Experience benefitting the Trauma Survivors Foundation! Enjoy DJ & live entertainment while enjoying an exclusive experience at the Bellefonte Brewing Company Brandywine.

Enjoy the changing colors of the leaves while sipping distinguished wines, craft beers, craft cocktails and spirits selections while enjoying great live entertainment and enjoying a variety of food options. “Fundraising efforts have been challenging during these unprecedented times, but hopefully this socially responsible event will bring people together and raise money for people dealing with trauma related issues and our Healthcare Workers,” says The Trauma Survivors Foundation CEO, Dennis Carradin.

Bellefonte Brewing Company, Southern Glazer’s Wines & Spirts, Breakthru Beverage, Standard Distributing, Big Oyster Brewery and Brewsing Banter have partnered with the Trauma Survivors Foundation to bring Delaware this one-of-a-kind event.

Proceeds will benefit The Trauma Survivors Foundation’s Hospital Heroes Food Drive. The Trauma Survivors Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization incorporated in the State of Delaware. The mission of the Hospital Heroes Food Drive is to show Frontline Workers that we, the community they are caring for, supports and cares for them through the simple act of providing them with a prepared meal to help sustain them through the day. To complete this mission, we are partnering with local restaurants to deliver quality food directly to Hospitals, Urgent Cares, Testing Centers, Treatment Centers, Nursing Facilities, and First Responder Stations. We have delivered nearly 25,000 meals to over 60 locations in Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and Maryland.

For additional information, please visit http://www.DelawareBeerFest.com or http://www.TheTraumaSurvivorsFoundation.org.

For more information, contact DennisC@thetraumasurvivorsfoundation.com

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Healthclick introduces a new Acute Care Physical Therapy Continuing Education Course

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Immobility and the supine position creates a physiologically dysfunctional environment. As a component of acute care physical therapy continuing education, understanding the physiological effects of positioning and immobility provides a pathway to developing appropriate care plans for acute care patients. Multiple studies have been published on the positive impact that positioning has had on outcomes during the COVID pandemic.

Acute Care Physical Therapy Continuing Education

Acute Care Physical Therapy Continuing Education

The risk here is that once the alveoli stop filling with air, then they start filling with fluid. Immobility causes a deficiency in clearing the lungs because of the compression due to pressure.

One of the biggest things that happen when a person is immobile for even 24 hours is compression atelectasis. To understand atelectasis, think of the lungs–think of them as a big air-filled sack–let’s also think of the fluids around the lungs. When a patient lays flat they have compression against the back, the lungs settle; and the ability to move the air in and out of those tiny little grape-like alveoli becomes very, very difficult. As a patient lays on their back in a supine position, the pressure coming down on those little sacks becomes so great that they stop filling with air. The risk here is that once the alveoli stop filling with air, then they start filling with fluid. Immobility causes a deficiency in clearing the lungs because of the compression due to pressure.

This exciting acute care continuing education course for occupational and physical therapists is included in healthclick online subscription which provides continuing education for occupational therapists and physical therapists. An annual subscription is $189 and provides all the required continuing education for Occupational therapists and physical therapists in the pre-approved states. More information can be found at healthclick physical therapy continuing education course subscription.

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Spine & Sport Physical Therapy Acquires Envision Sport Physical Therapy & Pilates

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Spine & Sport Physical Therapy, a leading provider of physical therapy in California acquires Envision Sport Physical Therapy & Pilates (“Envision Sport”). Envision Sport, with two locations, creates a foothold for Spine & Sport in the Irvine market.

“We are excited to expand our Spine & Sport Physical Therapy team into the Orange County, California communities with Envision Sport. Melissa Walls, PT, DPT and Darrin Yee have fostered a successful business since 2013, with their strong clinical care, values, culture and tremendous team. Together we look forward to our continued growth in Orange County and throughout California,” said Brett Raasch, PT, ATC and CEO of Spine & Sport PT.

“Envision Sport is excited to announce our partnership with Spine & Sport. We were approached by many potential partners in the California physical therapy market; however, Spine & Sport was clearly the preferred partner for our culture, our growth plans and our clinical excellence. This partnership will allow Envision Sport to continue to deliver a high level of patient care and help our communities in Orange County achieve their rehabilitation goals, through individualized care and the power of Pilates. We look forward to expanding into more locations in Orange County.” Melissa Walls, PT, DPT and Darrin Yee, Co-Owners.

About Great Point Partners

Great Point Partners, founded in 2003 and based in Greenwich, CT, is a leading health care investment firm with 28 professionals, investing in the United States, Canada, and Western Europe. GPP is currently making new private equity investments from GPP III, which has $307 million of committed capital. Great Point manages capital in private (GPP I, $156 million and GPP II, $215 million of committed capital, and GPP III, $307 million) and public equity funds. Great Point Partners has provided growth equity, growth recapitalization, and management buyout financing to more than 200 growing health care companies. The private equity funds invest across all sectors of the health care industry with a particular emphasis on biopharmaceutical services and supplies, pharmaceutical infrastructure, alternate site care, medical device and information technology enabled businesses. The firm pursues a proactive and proprietary approach to sourcing investments and tuck-in acquisitions for its portfolio companies.

Reach Great Point at 203-971-3300 or http://www.gppfunds.com

About Spine & Sport Physical Therapy:

Spine & Sport Physical Therapy (“Spine & Sport”), headquartered in San Diego, CA is a leading provider of physical therapy and rehabilitation services in Southern California. The Company operates 32 employee-owned outpatient physical therapy clinics. Spine & Sport is dedicated to personalized, measurable, active based, patient-centered care for orthopaedic, sports and work-related injuries. The Company’s outpatient clinics provide active based treatment to patients suffering from musculoskeletal impairments associated with accidents, sports injuries, surgeries, and various other medical conditions. Reach Spine & Sport at 800-976-7544 or http://www.spineandsport.com/

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BlueRx partners to elevate women’s health

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BlueRx Digital Pharmacy & TherapeuticsMD Partner to Provide Consumers with Cost-Effective Medication and Increased Access in the Women’s Health Space

BlueRx Digital Pharmacy – the leading online pharmacy renowned for providing effective, affordable, and reliable services to its customers and TherapeuticsMD an innovative pharmaceutical company exclusively committed to advancing the health of women, are proud to announce a new partnership designed to provide consumers with cost-effective medication and increased access to women’s healthcare.

“It’s important to us at BlueRx to be able to provide the best-in-class service to everyone, and this partnership allows us to provide affordable care and connection to our patients,” said Melissa Grundy, BlueRx’s Director of Growth & Development. “We pride ourselves on the relationships we have with providers and joining forces with TherapeuticsMD will continue to help us ensure a complete healthcare outcome. We bring wellness full circle, it’s our priority!”

About BlueRx Digital Pharmacy

BlueRx pharmacy is a full-service digital pharmacy that uses modern technology and proprietary software to provide effective and affordable services to its patients.

Connect with BlueRx Digital Pharmacy

Website l Facebook l LinkedIn l Instagram l (313) 899-4120 l info@bluerx.health

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Advanced and Preferred Physical Therapy Announce Partnership with Precise Physical Therapy

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As a Physical Therapist-owned business, Precise Physical Therapy has mastered the integration of bringing together the best clinical talent and delivering the highest quality care and service excellence. – Karen Wilson, PT, MSPT, CEO of APPT

Advanced Physical Therapy and Preferred Physical Therapy (APPT), members of the Confluent Health family, are proud to announce their newest partnership with Precise Physical Therapy (Precise PT), a private and therapist-owned physical therapy practice located in Kansas City, Kansas.

“Since opening our doors, Precise PT has evolved its practice to include both skills and experience in cutting edge physical and occupational therapy interventions such as aquatic therapy, manual therapy and therapeutic exercises,” said Precise PT’s Owner Beth Hofer, MPT, AT. “Throughout the years our practice has grown to include two clinics throughout Kansas City, all for the convenience of our community and its patrons.”

To further drive home the clinic’s community-first mindset, Precise PT also offers services such as certified hand therapy, pediatric physical therapy and sports rehabilitation.

“Joining the APPT family will allow our practice and staff to continue to grow while keeping our Kansas City community at the top of mind.”

While patients will continue to see the same familiar faces at Precise PT and be provided with the same services, the clinical team will gain access to the shared services provided by APPT and the Confluent Health family. These services include premier patient outreach programs as well as top tier continuing education and staff development opportunities via Evidence In Motion, a nationally recognized physical therapy higher education group.

“We are proud to partner with Precise Physical Therapy and have known about their exceptional quality of care for years,” says APPT’s CEO and physical therapist, Karen Wilson, PT, MSPT. “Beth and their entire team make up a leading practice in the state of Kansas and are going to add significant value as we grow together.”

“As a Physical Therapist-owned business, Precise Physical Therapy has mastered the integration of bringing together the best clinical talent and delivering the highest quality care and service excellence. In the years to come, accommodating the vast growth and volume of musculoskeletal and chronic pain patients requires proven, hands-on partnerships and we believe Precise Physical Therapy is perfectly aligned to join Advanced and Preferred Physical Therapy and answer that call.”

This partnership makes 31 APPT clinics across Kansas, further expanding the group’s footprint.

For more information about APPT please visit https://aptclinics.com and https://preferredptkc.com. For more information about Precise PT, or to meet with one of their expert therapists, please visit https://www.kcppt.com/.

About Advanced and Preferred Physical Therapy:

Advanced and Preferred Physical Therapy (APPT) is a Kansas-based, private physical therapy practice group. As a proud member of the Confluent Health family, APPT positively impacts patients’ lives by delivering the best care and results through proven research, innovative treatments and technologies, and an approach that treats patients like family. For more information, visit aptclinics.com, or find them on Facebook at @aptclinics.

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Guardians of Rescue Has Rescued Over 2,000 Animals This Year, Multiple Arrests

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This year we have been extremely busy helping animals around the country, explains Robert Misseri, president and founder of Guardians of Rescue. Not only do we get calls from individuals who want to report animal abuse taking place, but we also work with other smaller organizations.

There have been a lot of changes since COVID took center stage, and one of them has been an increase in the number of reported cases to Guardians of Rescue. The organization’s mission is to help rescue abused and mistreated animals, and it has had a busy year doing just that. With more people staying at home, they have been witness to the animal abuse going on around them, and have been taking steps to help bring it to an end.

“This year we have been extremely busy helping animals around the country,” explains Robert Misseri, president and founder of Guardians of Rescue. “Not only do we get calls from individuals who want to report animal abuse taking place, but we also work with other smaller organizations, so we have been able to do a lot of work, thanks to the help we receive from our community of supporters.”

Guardians of Rescue works with many law enforcement agencies around the nation, who lack the resources to go after those suspected of animal abuse. The organization helps them by investigating animal abuse calls it receives from individuals, as well as by working with small animal rescue organizations that are in more rural areas. In those areas, the organizations tend to work with police and the sheriff’s department to go after illegal puppy mills and hoarders. Guardians steps in whenever it is needed, and it has done over 2,000 animal rescues, and its investigations have led to multiple arrests.

Some of the cases they have been working on this year include:

Tennessee Bone yard Dogs — Grundy County, TN, Jan. 16, 2021 – Guardians rescued over 200 dogs from a hoarder/puppy mill, where there were dog bones and skulls lying around. Hundreds of dogs had suffered and died there on the property, with their remains still scattered about. The dogs that were rescued required immediate medical attention. The woman who ran the place was arrested and charged with many counts of animal cruelty.

Cat Hoarding Hell — Mingo County, WV, Feb. 6, 2021 – Guardians worked with others in Mingo County to help rescue over 100 cats from horrible conditions. They were in freezing conditions, and there was no fresh water or food around. The cats were suffering and fighting for survival, including turning to cannibalism.

Cold and Dark Nightmare for Chihuahuas — Mason County, KY, Feb. 18, 2021 – Guardians was urgently called to rescue about 20 little dogs who had been trying to survive in a shuttered home, left on their own with no food or water, for two weeks. This house had no electricity or heat. Even the toilet bowls were frozen. The dogs were freezing and ill. They were in need of immediate medical care.

Dumped Mountaintop Dogs — West VA, Jan. 24 and March 2021 – Over 70 dogs, many chained, were living without shelter on a mountaintop in a remote area of West Virginia. Guardians was contacted by local authorities about this bad situation in Mingo County, West Virginia. Our team, along with our placement partners, rescued these heartlessly dumped dogs.

Kentucky Hellhole Puppy Mill — 300+ dogs, March 25, 2021 – Guardians was called to Kentucky to get hundreds of desperate dogs out of a hellish puppy mill facility. The conditions were horrific on this property. It was infested with large rats, and there were remains of dead dogs all over the property. All of the dogs had been used for profit and were abused and living in prisons.

Chester County, TN — May 22, 2021, 50-plus dogs removed from nightmare – Guardians got an urgent plea for help from the Chester County Sheriff’s Dept. — 50+ dogs needed immediate help. The animals were living in a hell. They were rescued and all adopted out.

Hart County, KY — May 20, 2021 — 65+ dogs needed to get out. Guardians received a disturbing call about a potential hoarding/breeding operation, so our investigation team reached out to law enforcement and expressed our concerns. When law enforcement made contact with the owner, it was found there were 65+ dogs on this property, some needing immediate veterinary care.

Philadelphia, PA — June 2021, Guardians on the ground in Philly. The team distributed over 1,000 pounds of pet food, collars, harnesses, pet shampoo, and feral cat houses. These items helped homeless animals. Additionally, it investigated reports of animal cruelty in the area.

“We are so glad that we could be so productive and help so many animals in the last six months,” added Misseri. “We can’t do all this work without the donations of those who support what we do. Every bit helps and adds up to keep us doing this work. Please consider making a donation so that the second half of the year we can continue to fund our mission.”

Guardians of Rescue provides assistance to animals out on the streets and investigates animal cruelty cases. It is located in New York, but it helps animals in many places around the country. It is also instrumental in helping military members with their pets. To learn more, get involved, or to make a donation to support the Guardians of Rescue, log onto http://www.guardiansofrescue.org.

About Guardians of Rescue

Based in New York, Guardians of Rescue is an organization whose mission is to protect the well-being of all animals. It provides aid to animals in distress, including rehabilitation, assisting other rescue groups, and providing support to families, both military and not, who need assistance due to economic factors. To learn more about Guardians of Rescue, visit the site at http://www.guardiansofrescue.org.

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Healthcare Navigation Platform HealthJoy Launches New Virtual Musculoskeletal (MSK) Program

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“By integrating Virtual MSK Care into HealthJoy’s connected healthcare experience, we can leverage the power of proactive outreach and navigation. This will allow us to help more people access our low-cost, effective solution,” said Brian Astrachan, Co-Founder of Rekinetics.

HealthJoy, a complete healthcare navigation platform helping employers drive benefits satisfaction and improve healthcare outcomes, is pleased to announce the launch of its Virtual Musculoskeletal (MSK) Care program. Propelled by high adherence and a mobile-first experience, the program’s beta testers reported an 82% reduction in pain, an 85% increase in function improvement, and a 95% level of member satisfaction.

Musculoskeletal issues are characterized by persistent pain and limitations in mobility, dexterity, and overall level of functioning in the joints, muscles, spine, and bones, reducing people’s ability to work, according to the World Health Organization. It impacts an estimated 126.6 million Americans and costs around $213 billion in annual treatment, care and lost wages, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Taken together, those issues make MSK care the third-highest source of employer claims spend.

“Musculoskeletal pain has traditionally been difficult to treat; the solutions that work aren’t convenient for patients and the invasive options, like surgery, often don’t work,” said HealthJoy Chief Medical Officer Dr. Patricia Pechter. “Like other forms of virtual care, virtual exercise therapy solutions are easier to access, and a coach adding personalization and accountability makes it easy to follow. We know that’s a major reason members are finding real relief in our beta program.”

HealthJoy is tackling this high-spend issue with a virtual exercise therapy program that is convenient, effective and inexpensive for individuals struggling with musculoskeletal pain. The program was created through the acquisition of Rekinetics, the only MSK program applying neuroscience to exercise therapy. HealthJoy has added Virtual MSK Care into its core offering to give all existing and new clients access to digital-first, accessible care on a per-registrant pricing basis.

“We founded Rekinetics after seeing that across the board, MSK pain management solutions are expensive, inconvenient, and frustrating,” said Brian Astrachan, Co-Founder of Rekinetics and GM of MSK at HealthJoy. “There are two things that matter for physical care: engaging people early, before it’s a crisis, and keeping them engaged in their program. By integrating Virtual MSK Care into HealthJoy’s connected healthcare experience, we can leverage the power of proactive outreach and navigation. This will allow us to help more people access our low-cost, effective solution.”

HealthJoy’s offering is less than half the cost of a round of in-person physical therapy and boasts higher adherence, thanks to in-app reminders, personalized support from online coaches and a connected healthcare experience. In just 15 minutes per day, 5 days per week, HealthJoy members can experience pain reduction and improved mobility that exceeds more expensive surgical alternatives.

About HealthJoy

HealthJoy’s mobile application creates an intuitive, connected healthcare experience that takes the confusion and complexity out of healthcare by connecting its members with the right benefits at the right moment in their care journey. Its mobile platform and human concierge team bring benefits together to surface the best providers, virtual care, and savings. Ultimately, HealthJoy helps employees lead healthier, happier lives. To learn more about HealthJoy’s proven approach to healthcare navigation, visit http://www.healthjoy.com.

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Cuban-American owned athletic apparel company releases innovative reversible collection

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ALPHA Territory Team

In order to achieve something unique, you have to create an experience that is different from your competitors.

Satisfying a unique opportunity in the athletic performance wear industry, ALPHA Territory has released a unique reversible collection of women’s shorts and sports bras in seven pastel colors with complementary tank tops and additional men’s t-shirts. The quick-dry, dual layer polyester/spandex material can be stretched in any direction without becoming see-through. Following its launch in 2016, this is the third collection released by the brand and its Cuba-born founders, Hansel de Haro and Gus Baldor.

ALPHA Territory is a fitness apparel and lifestyle brand that promotes healthy living and prides itself in providing the ultimate quality and service for its products. In pursuit of the American dream, De Haro and Baldor launched the brand and community inspired by their own health and weight loss journeys. Their collective aim was to create a brand that would focus on more than just the product sold, but be an inclusive, supportive community that provides information to support fitness and improve overall quality of life.

Born and raised in La Habana, Cuba, Hansel de Haro was an entrepreneur at heart with a passion for designing and presenting products that surpass visual and quality expectations. This directed him to pursue a formal architecture education which began in Cuba and ultimately led to his immigration to the US and earning his master’s degree from Florida International University in 2014.

“In order to achieve something unique, you have to create an experience that is different from your competitors,” said de Haro. “That goes for both the idea you want to develop and the customers you will present it to. It stems from your life experiences.”

​​Baldor emigrated from Cuba at a young age in 1985 and grew up in Hialeah, Florida, where he grew as a professional until he was able to open his first business in the automotive industry. This led to his introduction to De Haro, where ALPHA Territory was ultimately born.

“I’m blessed to have the opportunity to live in the USA where you can achieve your dreams if you are willing to work hard and continue to learn!” Baldor said.

Family is everything for the ALPHA Territory founders, having been brought up in close-knit households that remained connected through adversity. They believe that a strong circle of friends, teammates and/or business partners is the key to success in fitness and in life. They adopted this same concept of building and strengthening relationships over opportunities when developing ALPHA Territory and throughout its continued exponential growth.

About ALPHA Territory, Corp.

ALPHA Territory, Corp. is an independent, minority-owned designer, promoter and distributor of high quality, branded athletic performance apparel, headquartered in Miami, Florida and operated by a close-knit community of fitness enthusiasts. ALPHA Territory’s goal is to facilitate a healthy lifestyle through its products, after-sales service and article-based website that promotes success by providing reliable and accurate information (healthy recipes, workout plans, lifestyle tips, etc.). For more information, please visit http://www.alphaterritory.com or @alphaterritory.

Press Contact for ALPHA Territory:

Sarah Garcia

sarah@alphaterritory.com

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Ideal Option Presents Free Webinar on Treatment for Fentanyl Addiction

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Fentanyl, an extremely dangerous and addictive synthetic opioid up to 50 times more potent than heroin, has taken over the illicit drug scene causing overdose deaths to skyrocket. The CDC reported a 55% increase in overdose deaths due to synthetic opioids from 2019 to 2020.

Based on Ideal Option’s own lab data, collected from patients across all its clinics in 10 states, there was a staggering 104% increase in fentanyl use among enrolling patients from January 2020 to June 2021. In response to these data, Ideal Option has developed new protocols and programs to better support patients as they make the transition from fentanyl to buprenorphine – a process that can easily trigger precipitated withdrawal and discourage patients from continuing treatment.

On Wednesday, August 18, from 11:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. PST, Ideal Option will present an overview of these protocols and programs and answer questions about fentanyl and the complexities of treating patients who are addicted to this highly potent synthetic opioid. The webinar will be presented by Ideal Option’s chief medical officer, Dr. Brian Dawson, who is double board-certified in emergency and addiction medicine.

During the webinar, Dr. Dawson will:


  • Provide an overview of the fentanyl crisis
  • Share current data from Ideal Option’s extensive repository of lab testing results on fentanyl usage trends and treatment outcomes
  • Explain the challenges of treating fentanyl users with buprenorphine without precipitating withdrawal
  • Describe Ideal Option’s method for assessing patient suitability for conventional or micro-initiation
  • Outline support programs in place through the initiation phase to ensure patients adhere to their personalized dosing program

To register for this live event, visit bit.ly/fentanyl-webinar or email Senior Marketing Manager, Olivia Easly, at oliviaeasly@idealoption.net.

About Ideal Option 

Headquartered in Kennewick, Washington, Ideal Option was founded in 2012 and has since helped nearly 45,000 patients through a network of almost 70 office-based medication-assisted treatment (MAT) clinics across 10 states. With a mission to serve under-served communities, Ideal Option accepts all forms of insurance including Medicaid and Medicare. Financial assistance and payment plans are also available. 

Ideal Option’s team of medical providers carry certifications in Addiction and Emergency Medicine, Internal, OB/GYN, and Family Medicine, among other specialties. The company also employs social workers, caseworkers, counselors, and mental health practitioners. This holistic approach helps drive positive outcomes, including family stability, stable housing, improved overall health, and reduced rates of recidivism. 

In all the communities it serves, Ideal Option collaborates with existing stakeholders and providers to improve the continuum of care. This approach includes partnerships with emergency rooms and county jail systems, where individuals with substance use disorder often appear, as well as collaborating with numerous support agencies and municipal programs addressing social needs such as housing, mental health, and nutrition support.

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Supporting Children With Speech and Language Disorders as They Return to In-Person School

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Many students with communication disorders were particularly affected by changes like virtual and hybrid learning that were implemented during the 2020–2021 school year due to the pandemic.

With students across the country preparing to return to in-person school, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is providing advice for parents and caregivers of children with speech and language disorders. These disorders are the second most common disability category under which children receive special education services, representing more than 1 million schoolchildren nationwide.

According to the U.S. Department of Education’s recent report, Education in a Pandemic: The Disparate Impacts of COVID-19 on America’s Students: “For many elementary and secondary school students with disabilities, COVID-19 significantly disrupted the education and related aids and services needed to support their academic progress and prevent regression—and may have exacerbated longstanding disparities in their academic achievement.”

Many students with communication disorders were particularly affected by changes like virtual and hybrid learning that were implemented during the 2020–2021 school year due to the pandemic. As some of these children return to in-person instruction for the first time in more than a year, ASHA recommends the following ways for families to help them prepare for a successful in-person school year and support recovery of communication, social, and learning skills:


  • Attend school open house/meet-and greet events. If your child’s school is holding an open house or other meet-and-greet event with school personnel, try to attend if your schedule allows. If you cannot attend, ask if there is an opportunity to meet the teacher virtually or visit the building at another time. You may be able to visit the speech-language pathologist (SLP) as well. This can help children with communication disorders reduce uncertainty about the classroom and school environment—and give families specifics that they can talk about in advance with their child (e.g., where they will be sitting and with whom, where to go if they are overstimulated or want alone time, who is in the class, etc.).
  • Practice social skills. Everyday interactions such as talking with friends, playing at recess, and eating lunch in the cafeteria may be difficult for children with language and/or social communication disorders, particularly those who had little interaction with same-aged peers during the past year. All of this can play a role in academics as well as social success. Families can help children by playing school at home and practicing these specific scenarios. They may also want to arrange playdates with classmates and visit parks, pools, and other places where kids are, as family comfort level allows.
  • Prepare for social/behavioral expectations in classroom. Children may need to be reminded of basic classroom behaviors like staying in their seat, raising their hand when they want to say something, or asking for permission to go to the bathroom. Pandemic-related expectations such as social distancing, wearing masks, and staying with a particular group of children at lunch or recess may also be required. Talk about these changes in advance, and practice those behaviors that may be difficult. Families of children with communication disorders may want to create social stories—structured, personalized stories that explain social situations to children. These stories can help children with language and social disorders troubleshoot challenging situations.
  • Prime children for learning. At least 1 week prior to the first day, formalize habits to put your child in a good place to start the year. These include nightly reading before bed, gradually reducing their screen time, and practicing going to bed early and waking up on time. Children with speech and language disorders generally thrive on such routines. A visual chart of these routines and maintaining a consistent schedule may help as well.
  • Role-play potentially stressful scenarios. There may be specific situations that concern your child about going back to school. For example, a child who stutters may be worried about introducing themselves on the first day of class or reading out loud. By talking about these situations and practicing, you can help reduce stress, decrease negative reactions and emotions, and build confidence about new social interactions.
  • Keep communication open with your child’s teacher, SLP, and other school staff. If you have specific concerns about the return to school and/or any specific skills and learning regression, let the school know in advance so that staff can do everything they can to help your child succeed. You can do this informally (e.g., email the teacher) as well as formally (e.g., at meetings to discuss individualized education programs [IEPs] or 504 plans).
  • Prepare for possible changes in IEP services or 504 plans. For students who have existing IEPs or 504 plans, there may still be changes in how speech-language and other services are delivered due to the pandemic. This may vary by school district and even by school. Talk to your child’s IEP coordinator and/or case manager about what services will look like so you all can know what to expect.
  • Educate yourself about your child’s services. Know that families still have the rights they always had when it comes to special education services. When you meet with your child’s educational team, discuss how they are evaluating them for any regression of skills and how the school will address this. Your child’s SLP and/or other providers want what’s best for the child. Through a collaborative relationship, your child can meet their highest potential.
  • Stay positive about where your child is right now. Despite the challenging circumstances of the past school year, not all was lost. Children are resilient and can recover. Stay upbeat, and help get your child excited when shopping for school supplies or a new backpack, picking out the first-day-of-school outfit, and talking about teacher assignments and other details. Their excitement about the new year can impact both their learning and their social success.

For more information on speech and language services in schools, visit http://www.asha.org/public/speech/development/speech-and-language-services-in-schools/.

About the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)

ASHA is the national professional, scientific, and credentialing association for 218,000 members and affiliates who are audiologists; speech-language pathologists; speech, language, and hearing scientists; audiology and speech-language pathology support personnel; and students. Audiologists specialize in preventing and assessing hearing and balance disorders as well as providing audiologic treatment, including hearing aids. Speech-language pathologists identify, assess, and treat speech and language problems, including swallowing disorders. http://www.asha.org/

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